Answer: 2*2*2*2*5
We have four copies of '2' and one copy of '5' multiplied together
This is the same as saying 2^4*5
=========================================
Explanation:
Divide 80 over the smallest prime factor, which is 2
80/2 = 40
Divide that result over 2
40/2 = 20
Keep going until you cannot divide by 2 anymore
20/2 = 10
10/2 = 5
We stop here because 5/2 isn't a whole number. We also stop here since 5 is prime. Circle all the primes that show up and you should have four copies of 2 and one copy of 5.
Therefore: 2*2*2*2*5 = 80
In shorthand, this condenses to 2^4*5 = 80
The factor tree is shown below. Other factor trees are possible.
